Is This Really An RCA???
Written: Apr 27 '02 (Updated Apr 28 '02)
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Pros: Price, Features, Performance
Cons: Short warranty, Expensive Battery, Cheap On/Off Knob
The Bottom Line: For $349.00, this MiniDV has everything you need. It is an outstanding value.
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| kajguy's Full Review: RCA CC9360 Mini DV Camcorder |
Many years ago, I read a future-oriented article about geeks like me producing high quality video on a home computer and the thought has enchanted me ever since.
My first foray into home video was to get a Snappy Video Snapshot device which let me capture still pictures off a regular camcorder and download them into my computer for manipuation. As a lawyer, I love to manipulate.... But, I was not impressed.
Next, I got an Intel PC Camera Pack Pro Web Cam which let me download actual video onto my computer from an analog 8mm Camcorder. Unfortunately, the quality was again lacking.
But, last week, I saw an ad for this RCA MiniDV Camcorder at Fry’s for $349.00 ($745.00 list on the RCA web site) and I just had to check it out. I didn’t tell my wife, though. She hates new gadgets, no matter how much I try to justify them.
I’ve never owned RCA products before and for good reason. They’ve always been in the technological backwater as far as I’m concerned. But, this camcorder instantly impressed me. So, I bought it. The construction is good and the quality high, despite the light weight. I do have some gripes about the knob to turn it on and off, since it only goes on if you position the knob just so. Cheesy! But, other than that it’s easy to use. It has both an active matrix 2.5” color LCD screen that pulls out from the side and a B/W viewfinder. The LCD has bright vibrant colors and adjustable brightness control, but the B/W viewfinder is strictly a cost-cutting move.
For the money I paid, I am very impressed with all the features. It will take Digital Still photos, but does not have any internal memory, such as that found on more expensive units. It features several digital effects, including “Classic Film” (if you like choppy looking video) and several different types of “fades” from scene to scene. The built-in video light that can be set to activate automatically is also a nice feature. Alas, there is no MIC input, however, the unit will record in either 12 bit or 16 bit Stereo, which was an unexpected surprise. There is a tiny speaker built into the side of the unit, behind that LCD screen so you can hear the playback. It also has a “Steady Pix” feature, which compensates for hand shakiness, and “Night Shot”, which augments the video light in low light situations. These were features I was not expecting at such a low price.
Although the RCA has a 400x Digital Zoom, the Optical Zoom is only 10x, OK, but not great.
This Camcorder comes with a small, lightweight, Lithium Ion (Li-On) Battery good for about 75 minutes of shooting time. It takes about 90 minutes to charge. I decided to get another battery, but on the RCA website, they wanted $84.00. I then decided NOT (I miss that word) to get another battery. The RCA is also supplied with an AC adapter that lets you recharge the battery while it is plugged into the camera, which I can see as an inconvenience, and a cheap-looking shoulder strap but no carrying case.
What makes this camera great, though, it the quality of the digital video…..AWESOME!! A very noticeable improvement over my Canon ES190 8mm, which is up for auction on E-Bay! And, the best part is that the RCA has an IEE 1394 Firewire output so I can download the footage right into my computer. It also has an analog output, and, another surprise, an S-video output as well, cover by a flimsy plastic cover. So, you can watch your digital videos on your HDTV set!
Of course I had to by a IEE 1394 PCI card for $50.00 and install it in my Windows XP computer (but, that was easy!), and the package I purchase included the Firewire Cable and Ulead video editing software, so I had everything I needed. To say that I was astonished at the high quality of the video playback on my computer would be an understatement. I can’t wait to learn how to use the editing software and starting doing mini-documentaries, like I’ve always planned. I’m excited. Even my wife is! That’s saying something. She wants to be an “actress”!
According to the RCA web site, this unit is "remote compatible" with other RCA remotes, although the instruction manaul mentions nothing about this. This might be a bonus and it might not.
The RCA comes with only a 90 days labor and 1 year parts warranty. Not confidence inspiring. But, I’ve seen MiniDV camcorders by JVC which have a similar body so I suspect that JVC is actually the manufacturer of this unit. The RCA labels really look tacked on. So, I’m not really buying RCA after all. That makes me feel good!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 349.00
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Epinions.com ID:
kajguy
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Member: Chris Opfell
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Reviews written: 42
Trusted by: 14 members
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